Looking Back at 2012

Cheers to a great 2012! This past year proved to be the year of changes & firsts in my life. 

I love taking a look back at these experiences, memories, and accomplishments. 

I cannot wait to see what 2013 holds - stay tuned to find out what happens next!

{January 27, 2012: My 22nd Birthday}

{March 5, 2012: The start of my BCBG internship}

{April 27, 2012: Graduation}

{May 14, 2012: First day of my career at BCBG}

{July 15, 2012: Moved into my first big girl apartment}

*to read more about these, check out the life tab

Holiday Nail Polish

Instead of my usual seasonal roundup of nail polish picks, I decided to choose fun and festive holiday 

nail ideas that are perfect for Christmas & New Years Eve parties! Check out my Pinterest finds below. 

I'm rocking nude polish & glitter (OPI "bubble bath" & Essie "as gold as it gets") to get in the holiday spirit!

{red with glitter moons}

{nude + subtle glitter}

{Christmas sweater designs}

{black & gold accent nail}

{glitter french tip}

{Christmas lights}

{red/gold/snowflake}

{green & gold}

Style Trend: Animal Motif Sweaters

Everything from (un-tacky) Christmas sweaters to quirky colorful unicorn prints, 

I have been loving the animal motif sweaters this season! ASOS has proven to be a mecca of fun sweaters this winter. 

Check out the ones I found below - both holiday & seasonless options. I am obsessed with the owl!

Dear Santa

Lusting for Leather

Without a doubt, leather is my fave trend this fall. I have been leather crazed lately. 

From faux leather accents to grey lamb leather Current/Elliot skinnies, I can't get enough!

My clothing rack is overflowing with my leather addiction. Below are my newest additions.

Giving Thanks

This is the first Thanksgiving I have not been with my family. I am currently sitting in bed watching the 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade alone in my studio as I type this, so I apologize for the sentimental post.

I am thankful to have had the opportunity to land my dream job in LA earlier this year, but it's times like these that I just want to be in Florida with everyone I love the most. There are so many things I am missing about today: eating stuffing for breakfast, helping my mom in the kitchen, watching football with my dad, and playing in the pool with my niece and nephew. 

As much as I miss all those traditions, I am looking forward to creating new traditions. I am thankful for the great friends 

I have made here that are including me in their "friendsgiving" celebration. Cheers to drinking and cooking all afternoon!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and are fortunate enough to spend it with your loved ones!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I am counting down the days until I go home for Christmas to see my family. 

(28 days, if you were wondering) 

Fall Makeup Must Have

{Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in "Sex Machine"}

In the summer I wear bright lip colors such as hot pink & coral. But in the fall I like to darken it up a bit.

I love this mauve-pink color from Nars (available at Sephora). The matte finish is a great compliment

 to the rest of my makeup routine, which includes winged eyeliner, full lashes, and light bronzer.

Oreo Truffles

I came across these no-bake Oreo Truffles on Pinterest and practically started drooling on my laptop. 

The recipe so easy - only 3 ingredients! Can't wait to make these this weekend!

DIY: Infinity Scarf

I spotted this scarf at Nordstrom and fell in love with the print and colors. The only downfall: it's not an infinity scarf. 

Luckily turning an oblong scarf into a trendy infinity scarf literally takes 5 seconds. 

Simply make a tiny knot with the two ends. Place the knot behind your neck, then cover it with the rest of the scarf. 

So easy and no one will ever know...it'll be our little secret.

Currently Obsessed

{perforated suede shorts}

I spotted these shorts in my fave fall color at Henri Girl in Hermosa Beach.  

They are a great transitional piece for the weather in LA, one day it's perfect fall weather, the next it's pushing 90 degrees! 

When it does finally cool down for good, tights will make these seasonably right. 

I'm Back!

My laptop crashed a week ago, hence the slow in blog posts. When I called Mac Tech Support 

they diagnosed it as my hard drive and asked the last time I backed up my work...ummm...never?

I immediately thought of the Sex and the City episode when Carrie gets "sad mac'ed." 

Luckily the geniuses at Apple were able to fix my computer and I didn't lose anything in the process!

Anyways, this is what I was doing the past weekend...

Saturday

girls' afternoon: champagne, treats, painting pumpkins, and lots of laughs

{pumpkin patch}

{Beth & I picking out the perfect pumpkin}

{festive spread}

Sunday

zip line canopy tour in Wrightwood, CA - SO much fun!

{view from the first platform}

{sky bridge}

{Eric & I in our stylish helmets} 

Fave Fall Color

Fave Fall Color by mconard127 featuring high heel shoes

Currently Obsessed

{Zara Military Jacket}

I have been searching for the perfect utility jacket the past few months and finally found one last weekend at Zara. 

This will definitely be my go-to lightweight layer this fall with dresses, jeans, and leggings. 

Must Have: Leather Skirt

{Max Azria Leather Skirt}

Along with amazing Sample Sales at BCBG, we have a boutique inside the corporate office, 

selling higher-priced past season merchandise from Herve Leger, Max Azria, and BCBG Runway.

 Last week was so busy at work but I took a little shopping break between meetings and scored this incredible 

Max Azria leather skirt, also known as the best $80 I've ever spent! (The original price for this staple piece was $648!) 

While it's still warm in LA, I'll style this leather skirt with a white tank and lace up booties; 

then add opaque tights & a pullover sweater in the cooler winter temps. 

Check out the leather skirt outfit inspirations I've been eyeing on Pinterest.

Fall Polish

MC Home

My parents were in town visiting the weekend before last and they helped me make my house a home. 

I'm so obsessed with everything we found! It's about 95% done, I still need a few last finishing touches.

To see the progress from the beginning, check out the posts under "decor." Stay tuned for what's up next: kitchen.